Starting mechanism for alternating-current machines



March 30 1926. 578,860

' J. SOUSEDIK STARTING MEQHANISM FOR ALTERNATING CURRENT MACHINES Filed Sept. 16, 1922 .Jw INVENTOR;

1 A TTORNE in a magnetic circuit composed in Patented Mar. 30, 1926.

UNITED STATESAJ- PATENT OFFICE.)

J'OSEF SOUSEDIK, OF VSEFJIN, CZECHOSLOVAKIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-TIiIRD TO ROBERT'SUCZEK, J3 PHILADELPHIA PENNSYLVANIA. Y

' STARTING mnonanrsnr son ,ALTERNATING-QURRENT MACHINES.

Application filed September l tain new and useful Improvements'inStart- 'in Mechanism for Alternating-Current Ma-- ch1nes,of which the following is a speciiica- .tion.

My lnvention relates to mechanism for starting alternating current machines, par and magnet winding circuits utilizing structicularly asyIYchronous motors ,of any slze ture of the character shown in Figs. 1 to 3 and number ofphases and comprising .a rotor of one or more windings. g I In accordance with my invention, switching mechanism rotatable with the motor shaft is-subjected to centrifugal force and' the force of electro-magiietic attraction, the

former dependent upon the rotor speed and the latter dependent upon current supplied by a rotor winding or windings, the .two forces being so applied that after a suitable time the switching mechanism suitably changes the condition of the circuit or circuits ofthe rotor winding or windings to cffeet suitable speed-of the rotor, and particularly full speed.- V

In accordance with my invention, an electro-magnetic winding rotating with the rotor and energized by it produces'ma-gnetic flux art of movable means controlling the switching mechanism, and there is related with the magnetic circuit a short circuited secondary,

as a resistance ring, the magnetic circuit pro;

ducing large hysteresis effects or losses. By.

utilization'of mechanism embodying my invention, the starting is so controlled that it shall not be too rapid, with a rate'of change of speed which will not'cause undue or dan- 40 gerous flow of current from the supply .mains to the motor; and the mechanism is' of such character that the rate of change of current supplied to'the motor and the time required for bringing the rotor up to speed may be easily adjusted or predetermined,

' without substantially impairing the efiicie'ncy of the motor.

For an illustration of some of the forms my mechanism may take, reference is to be I partly, in elevation,

16, 1922. Serial No. 58 8,?40.

had to theaocompanying drawing, in which; Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional View,

oi -starting mechanism embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is 'an elevational view of the left end of the structure shownin Fig. 1. 5

, Fig. 3 isan elevational view of the right end of the structure shown in Fig. 1."

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the rotor inclusive. v y

Fig. 4. is a longitudinal sectional view, partly in elevation, of a further form of my mechanism.

Fig. 5 is an end elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. 4. v

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional viewof the struc-- tlurgt shown in Fig. 4 at right angles'to the s a Fig. 6 is a diagram of the rotor circuit 7 and of the electro-magnetic windings for the utilization of apparatus of the character shown in Figs. 4 to 6 inclusive. 1

Referring to Figs. 1 .to,3 inclusive, there is shown automatic starting mechanism for an asynchronous alternatingcurrent motor. having, for example, the three-phase main rotor windings R, R and R and the twophase auxiliary rotor windings R and R, Fig. 3 y y Secured upon the steel rotor shaft S is the bell or cup-shaped member A, preferably of magnetizable material, such as cast iron, the open end or mouth of the member A being directed toward the rotor, not shown, securedupon the shaft S. One end of each of the main rotor windings R, R and R is electrically connected to the shaft S, and their other ends are connected by the con-' ductors X, Y and Z to the switch contacts 00, y and .2, respectively, carried by and insulated from the member A. (lo-acting with the switch contacts :11, y and a, respectively, are the laminated brushes or movable contact members a, b and 0. Each of these movable contact members electrically connects with the member A and through it with the shaft S; The contact members a, b and c' are secured, respectively, to the members (Z, e and f, of iron, each pivoted, as at 9, Fig. 1, .to a member h secured to the member A. A

weak spring 71 is carried by each of the mcnb' I -bers d, e and 7, and bears against the inner wall of the member A; and is so tensioned as to hold the c ntact members a, b and c away from their associated contacts w, and z at- 10 low speds or-whert the shaftS is at rest,'.and

or when the'shaft S is at rest, in such position that the screws is carried by the members cl, e and) are in engagement-with the 16 iron resistance ring I secured upon the shaft a short circuited transformer secondary.

\ Surrounding the shaft S, which is their core,

are the magnet windings E'and E, each com- 1 x prlsmg two conductors m andn. The two conductors m of the windlngs and F are connected in serieswith, each other and; are included in circuit withthe auxiliary rotor Awinding R similarly, the two conductors a of the windings 'E and F are connected in series with each other and in circuit with the second two-phase auxiliary'gotor winding R. i

The windings E, F, shaft S, member A and ring I form a portion of a magnetic circuit with which co-act the iron armature levers d, e and 7, which, at low speeds or at rest, are adjusted to different distances,

by suitably adjusting their screws 70, with respect to the ring I.

The magnetic circuit described is ofa character causing relatively large magnetic hysteresis effects or losses,- and the resist ance ring I is in effect a short circuited single turn secondary of a transformer whose primary comprises the winding E, F; c I Q Mechanism of the character bovc described is more particularly suitable for motors of low power, as, for example, up to about twenty horse power. When the motor is thrown into communication with the power supply circuit, the auxiliary rotor windings It and R will generate electromotive-forces dephased ninety degrees and of a frequency equal to 'the frequency of the supply circuit. There will accordingly flow through the conductors m and n of thewindings E and F two phase currents of like frequency, these currents being of sufficient magnitude to cause the rotor structure to be set into rotation. The current so flowing through the electro-magnet windings E and F. exerts magnetic attraction upon the armatures 01,6 and f. and induces a current in the resistance ring I. The rotor structure will increase in speed, and as it does so the frequency of the currents traversing the windings E and F will decrease, am the magnitude of the current induced in thering I will change. As the rotorstructure gathers speed, the centrifugal force to hold the members d, e and f, at low speeds S and circumferentially continuous to form I,

their associated contact members a, b and 0 will increasefiuntil at a suitable or predeter- "electro-magnetismand the counter forces exerted by the springs i, and the contact members a, b and 0 will come into engagement with their associated contacts at, y and 2, preferably in succession or one after the other as determined by the different adjustments of the screwsk effecting air gaps of different lengths between the armatures (Z, 6 and f and the ring I. When the contact members a, b and c engage their contacts w.

and a, the main rotor winding R, R and "R will be closed circuited,1and since the rotor speed is already quite high or at nearly normal or full speed, the current induced in these windings will not be abnormal, but will sufliceto drive the motor atfull speed and under load; I

Accordingly, the mechanism described pre- Vents a too rapid starting and ensures an effectiye' control of, change of speed of the motor, and ensures gradually increasing cur acting upon the armatures d, e and f and rent as distinguished from sudden rush of I large current.

' Referring to FigsQ4 to 6 inclusive, there is-shown another/form of my inventiorvsuitable more particularly for machines of greater capacity. Securedupon the shaft S and in electrical conducting relation therewith are the two members B and-Goof cast iron, and betweenthem is disposed the annular member D carrying the three radially extending cylinders or tubular members GI Upon thepe-riphery of the members Band" C opposite each of the' membersG is an iron bar 0 extending parallel with the ,shaft.

Each of the bars 0 carries a pair of laminated contact, members 7 and g. The three contacts p and the bar 0 are held to the, member B by the bolts 4', the three contacts '11 being therefore electrically connected to each' other and. the shaft S. 'Each of the three contacts g and the associated bar 0 are secured to the member C by the bolts 8, the.

contacts g being insulated from the member -G and their associated ,'bars o. ,by suitable insulating members t, t. Surrounding each of the tubular members G is a magnet win-ding I-I. Within each of the members G is an iron core J. By screws, not shown, threaded into the inner ends of the cores J, their inner ends are preferably disposed'at difierent distances from the shaft S, thereby effecting air gaps of different lengths for the three electro-magnets or solenoids. At

its outer end each core J carries a contact plate u adapted to engage and bridge the associated contacts 12 and 9. Within each of the 0011s H and surrounding its core J is a resistance ring, which may be the member G, as indicated in the illustrated. example. One end of each of the windings H is connected to the shaft S and the other terminals of the coils H may be connected to the contacts 9. And the three-phase windings R, B and; R of the rotor, are connected in star relation with the shaft S and their other ends connect with the three contacts g, the general circuit arrangement being indicated in Fig. 6. Each of the bars 0 is provided with an aperture through which extends a regulating threaded rod 1; provided with nuts for effecting relative adjustment as between the contacts p, g and the contacts a carried by the cores J. In a bore within each of the cores J is located a weak spring w pressing the core toward the shaft S and holding it in innermost position while the motor is at rest or at very low speeds.

The shaft S,members 13,0 and the cores J, and associated magnetic parts form electro-magnets, and with the resistance rings G form transformers with short circuited secondaries. The magnetic circuit provides large hysteresis losses, and the windings H and their associated magnetizable members serve as solenoids and dampers, and the primaries and magnetic circuit of transformers.

Then the motor is thrown on to the supply circuit, the current induced in the threephase windings R, R and R traverses the windings H, each magnetizing its core, producing a force tending to hold the core to or near the shaft S, and inducing current in the short circuited secondaries G. The rotor starts slowly because of the effect of the energy losses in the secondary members G, the large inductive losses of the windings H, the high hysteresis of the magnetic circuit, and the impedance is high, because of the short air gaps between the inner ends of the cores J and the secondary S. The action is in general similar to that described win connectlon with Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive,

the starting is suitably gradual and. not

rapid, and there is no sudden great rush ofv current from the line, but the current is controlled or graduated as-the speed increases.

Finally, the centrifugal force acting upon the cores J overcomes the magnetism and ,the effect of the springs 20 and causes the contacts p and g to be bridged, whereupon the rotor windings R,- R and R are brought into closed circuit for full speed and normal running.

In Fig. 6 the general arrangement above described is indicated. The three contacts p are connected to each other and to the shaft S. The co-operating contacts q are connected to the rotor windings R, B and R and also to the solenoid windings H. The short circuited secondaries are indicated at G. It is apparent that as the cen members,

trifugal force increases, the contacts 9 are carried out in opposition to the magnetic attraction exerted by the windings H and in opposition to the weak springs w, until they finally engage the contacts 37 when the rotor windings R, R R are closed circuited, and the windings H in effect short circuited, the motor being'near or at full speed at this time and the centrifugal force thereafter maintains the connections between the contacts 9 and 3).

As described in connection with Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, it is also true of the second arrangement of Figs. 4 to 6 inclusive that the pairs of contacts are bridged in succession, due tothe different lengths of the air gaps between the inner ends of cores J and the'shaft S.

As regards both forms of the invention illustrated, in case of fall of speed of the motor to sufficiently low magnitude, the centrifugal force becomes small enough to cause the contacts to open, tus then assumes again its condition or position. corresponding with the starting period.

1. The combination with a rotor, of controlling mechanism rotatable therewith comprising switching mechanism controlling the rotor circuit, a plurality of magnetizable members movable away from the axis of rotation under the influence of centrifugal force controlling said switching mechanism, an element of said switching mechanism controlled by each of said magnetizable means traversed by rotor current for producing a field acting on said magnetizable netizable members tomove outwardly from the axis of rotation in succession.

2. The combination with a rotor, of "controlling mechanism rotatable therewith comprising switching mechanism controlling the rotor circuit, a plurality of magnetizable members movable' away from the and the apparamembers in opposition to centrifuga-l force, and means for; causing said magaxis of rotation under the influence of centrifugal force controlling said switching mechanism, an element of said switching mechanism controlled by each of said mag netizable members, means traversedr 'by rotor current for producing a field acting on said magnetizable members in opposition to centrifugal force, the airgaps of said mag netizable members being so related to each other that said members move outwardly from the axis of rotation in succession.

3. The combination with a rotor having a plurality of windings traversed by currents of different phases, of controlling mechanism rotatable therewith comprising switching mechanism controlling said rotor windings and comprising a movable contact member for each of said rotor windings, a

rotor shaft of magnetizable material, a mag I 545; i v us'mseo :uet winding for each of said movable conposed by the magnetic attraction between tacts and excited by a rotor Winding, and a said core and said shaft, said cores having magnetizable core for each of said magnet their inner ends disposed at different diswindings havingjts inner end presented to tanoes from said shaft, whereby they move said shaft and adapted to move one of said outwardly in succession under the influence movable contact members by movement subof centrifugal force.

stantialiy radially outward from said shaft In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

under the influence of centrifugal force op- JOSEF SOUSEDIK. 

